Using hierarchical INI files to represent complex user settings in a multi user environment

Abstract

A method is disclosed comprising initializing and/or modifying a first set of computer configuration data for a first user based on the first user's membership in a first group, initializing and/or modifying a second set of computer configuration data for the first user without regard to the first user's membership in the first group. The first or second sets of computer configuration data may be stored in an initialization file. The computer configuration data may be computer hardware of computer software data.

1 . A method comprising 
 initializing a first set of computer configuration data for a first user based on the first user's membership in a first group; and    initializing a second set of computer configuration data for the first user without regard to the first user's membership in the first group.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 modifying the first set of computer configuration data for the first user based on the first user's membership in the first group.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 modifying the second set of computer configuration data for the first user without regard to the first user's membership in the first group.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the first set of computer configuration data is stored in an initialization file.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the first set of computer configuration data is computer hardware data.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the first set of computer configuration data is computer software data.    
   
   
       7 . A method comprising 
 initializing a first set of computer configuration data for a first user based on the first user's membership in a first group by using a set of text based initialization files; and    initializing a second set of computer configuration data for a second user based on the second user's membership in a second group by using the set of text based initialization files.    
   
   
       8 . A method comprising 
 configuring a plurality of settings for a plurality of computer users that are members of a group;    wherein each of the plurality of settings has a value;    wherein the value of each of the plurality of settings is based at least in part on the fact that the plurality of computer users are members of the group; and    wherein an administrator determines whether a computer user becomes a member of the group.    
   
   
       9 . A method comprising 
 importing a plurality of values for a plurality of settings from a computer initialization file into a computer user's preferences for a single or multiple computer softwares, hardware or any configurable object;    determining if any of the plurality of values of the plurality of settings in the computer initialization file has changed; and    if any the plurality of values of the plurality of settings in the computer initialization file has changed re-importing the computer initialization file into the computer user's preferences for the configurable object or objects.    
   
   
       10 . A method comprising 
 determining whether a first value or a second value will have priority and therefore will control a setting for a first computer variable for a first user of a computer;    wherein the first value is indicative of membership in a first group;    wherein the second value is indicative of membership in a second group; and    wherein the first user is a member of both the first group and the second group.